ArticleIT managers out of step in judging success

25 October 2011 Brinley Platts

According to findings published by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) in February 2007 IT managers view personal success by making an impact at work and developing their colleagues, but think their organisations are more focused on market leadership and profit margins.

The findings, taken from research projects conducted over the past 15 months, also show that the majority of IT managers (69%) believe that enjoying work is crucial to success, yet only 3% believe that their employers share this view. In addition, 56% of IT managers judge success by the extent to which they develop their teams, but felt that only 33% of organisations mark this as a priority.

Jo Causon, director for marketing and corporate affairs at the CMI, said, “success clearly means different things to different people, but the disparity between the aims and objectives of the manager and how they view their company’s priorities reveals a need for better internal communication. Managers should voice professional needs so their definition of success is known, while the organisation needs to create a clear understanding of its corporate objectives to ensure employees and future employees feel an alignment to the corporate culture,” she said.

Brinley Platts of CIOCEVELOPMENT.COM is not surprised by the findings: “they show clearly the difference between means values and ends values” he said. “Enjoyment of work is a critical component of success for individuals and it can be for their employers but only if it is showing up in improved company metrics,”he says. “Having a great spirit in the team does not guarantee business results, but it is difficult to sustain high level performance without it,” he adds. “But don’t dump your problems on the CEO” he warns.

Branding guru BJ Cunningham goes even further: “there should be no difference whatever in the values and objectives of any business function and the business it serves. IT departments have to get this if they are to have any chance of being taken seriously.”

Contact Brinley Platts on 07973 745 640 at CIODEVELOPMENT.COM to find out how you can engage your colleagues and team on the issues raised by this article.